Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Call of Duty: Black Ops

Activision is following up yesterday’s launch gameplay trailer with a new video to showcase The Giant bonus map for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The map, available in Zombies, will be included with all Collector’s Editions and pick up the story where Origins ended with Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richthofen battling through Der Riese. The map features hellhounds, teleporters, and a Pack-a-Punch machine for upgrading weapons. For more Black Ops III, head over to the game’s official Youtube channel where the Friday live stream is set to kick off in a few minutes (2 p.m. CST).

Activision has released a launch gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The video gives an overview of the core three modes, with the campaign sending players across the globe to track down their squadmates in the midst of a new Cold War, multiplayer adding a new momentum-based chained movement system, and Zombies returning as the noir-inspired Shadows of Evil. The campaign can be completed solo or with friends, who can be connected to at any time. Multiplayer also introduces the Specialist system that allows players to progress up to nine characters through a challenge-based system.

The prologue has been released from Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s Zombies mode, Shadows of Evil. The latest chapter introduces four new characters, played by Jeff Goldblum, Heather Graham, Neal McDonough, and Ron Perlman. The squad must battle their way through an expansive noir-styled world brimming with undead to uncover the truth behind a mysterious stranger who is offering them redemption.

Treyarch has released an archive video of their first Black Fridays live-stream event for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The inaugural stream revealed the ninth Specialist, Firebreak, and a new multiplayer map, Redwood. In addition to the archive, a handful of screenshots were also released to show Redwood in greater detail. Everything is available below to check out.

Players can get a look at what’s shaping up to be a pretty wild campaign in a new story trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. As with the previous entries, there is a heavy sci-fi influence, what with the cybernetic augmentations, but a flash of anachronistic weaponry adds an intriguing twist.

Activision has created a global eSports league for Call of Duty, the aptly named Call of Duty World League. The program is being set up to encourage casual fans to try their hand at competitive play and “provide a deeper level of engagement” for current professionals. The league will consist of two divisions, The Pro Division and The Challenge Division, with the latter providing an avenue for amateurs to win a spot at the Call of Duty Championship. Activision is ponying up $3 million in prizes and has set up a team to help facilitate the league leading up to and after its launch alongside Black Ops III. Full details can be found below.

Treyarch has announced through their Twitter account that they are extending the Call of Duty: Black Ops III PS4 beta through 10 p.m. (PST) tonight. They also added and adjusted several items during the weekend. The Spectre specialist was added, as was a new attack-and-defend mode, Safeguard, and the level cap was increased to 40. Head over to their blog for more details.

The multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops III is now live for PS4. From today until Sunday, early buyers will be able to try out three maps, seven modes, eight Specialists (two of which haven’t been revealed), and weapon-customization options. For those that take part, a feedback form has been set up so that Treyarch can get an idea of players’ thoughts on the current state of multiplayer. Events are also planned during the period, but no info is as yet known as to what’s in store. To keep up to date on all of the events, keep an eye on Treyarch’s blog, which will be updated throughout the period.

Activision has released new screenshots and a teaser for the impending multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The beta is scheduled to start next week for PS4, and on August 26 for PC and Xbox One, and the trailer offers the first look at what’s coming. Some info gleamed from the teaser includes the planned availability of seven-plus multiplayer modes, three-plus maps, eight multiplayer specialists, and weapon customization. Specifics about the weapons, maps, and modes that will be playable will be released later today on Treyarch’s community page.

Activision has released some more of their Comic-Con media. The latest is a video for The Giant bonus map for Black Ops III’s Zombies mode. Fans might recognize the locale as it’s from an old favorite, Der Riese. The Giant will be available in all of the collector’s editions: Juggernog, Hardened, and Digital Deluxe.